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Post by kxg on Sept 29, 2018 15:20:27 GMT -5
The bulk of my accumulation experience is in the fountain pen world. In that world, when you run across a New Old Stock, Mint (as in, never filled and in excellent condition), vintage (as in 40ish+ years old) fountain pen, you need to give strong consideration to keeping it in mint, unused condition. As you might imagine, there is considerable debate on this issue, but the bulk of serious collectors fall into the "keep it mint" camp. They urge folks to sell the mint pen to a collector and purchase a user grade pen of the same type if they really want to write with it. The caveat with those collectors is if the pen is a very common pen with easily found NOS examples, then use as you wish. Folks in the other camp say, ink them up and use them, they were built to write with and they are, after all, your pens. So my question is, how does the pipe accumulation community view this? I ask because I recently purchase what turns out to be a NOS, Mint condition 1970's vintage Bayard Armand Bruyere Halfbent Dublin. The original price sticker is still in the bowl and the pipe shows no drawer wear. I'm inclined to fill it up and smoke it as I believe this is a sub-brand of Chacom, and thus is not highly collectible by those who are so inclined. But, I don't want to make a major pipe faux pas and anger the pipe gods. What say you?  |
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Post by monbla256 on Sept 29, 2018 15:32:16 GMT -5
The Pipe Gods would be very angry if you didn't smoke it! Damn fine looking pipe that needs some Va in it to make them happy !  |
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rmb
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Posts: 646
First Name: Ryan
Favorite Pipe: Currently an IMP meerschaum cutty that may or may not be rose colored.
Favorite Tobacco: English/Balkan
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Post by rmb on Sept 29, 2018 15:34:11 GMT -5
I collect a few other things besides pipes, and I feel about the same with any of them, things are meant to be enjoyed. If you obtain enough enjoyment by not opening/smoking something then I would keep it that way, it's pretty much guaranteed to last forever. But, as for me, I like to play with my toys, I'd smoke the hell outta that pipe  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 15:40:35 GMT -5
Kelly, only YOU can decide.....do you want to collect the pipe or enjoy smoking it? If your a collector and plan on selling the pipe in the near future, by all means don’t stuff the pipe and smoke it. Or, are you going to leave it as part of your Estate when your ticket is punched? That means whoever your beneficiaries are will most likely sell the pipe not knowing it’s value! I have a number of rare collectible pipes, I smoke them ALL but keep them super clean. So when my time is up here on Earth my daughter knows who to get in touch with to sell the entire lot, plus I left an Excel spreadsheet with a rough idea what she should accept for my pipes and tinned tobacco’s.
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Post by Legend Lover on Sept 29, 2018 15:42:41 GMT -5
I say pipes were made to be smoked. Unless you're a collector of unsmoked pipes, load it up and use it as the maker intended.
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Post by kxg on Sept 29, 2018 16:26:33 GMT -5
Kelly, only YOU can decide.....do you want to collect the pipe or enjoy smoking it? If your a collector and plan on selling the pipe in the near future, by all means don’t stuff the pipe and smoke it. Or, are you going to leave it as part of your Estate when your ticket is punched? That means whoever your beneficiaries are will most likely sell the pipe not knowing it’s value! I have a number of rare collectible pipes, I smoke them ALL but keep them super clean. So when my time is up here on Earth my daughter knows who to get in touch with to sell the entire lot, plus I left an Excel spreadsheet with a rough idea what she should accept for my pipes and tinned tobacco’s. Yep, I will be the decider on this pipe (actually the decision is made and I'm getting ready to head out for an inaugural smoke). My only goal was to learn if there was any conventional wisdom in the pipe smoking community on these matters and it seems there is: Smoke It! As far as my Estate goes, at that point, I will really not care a whit. I have tried to advise my kids on the value of certain fountain pens that shouldn't be dumped in the trash and perhaps one of these days, I'll get that spreadsheet going. I have started one, and added a new tab for my tobacco habit spending (that is scary already). Probably the best thing I can do for my heirs is to narrow the accumulation now so as not to leave them with the mess. Of course, it's sort of hard to build up my tobacco stash with that theory in play. Thanks all for the advice! |
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Post by trailboss on Sept 29, 2018 16:35:13 GMT -5
I am in the "if you got it, smoke it" crowd...but I have a couple unsmoked old ones that I have yet to pull the trigger on smoking...a beautiful Wally Frank, and a Tanganyikan meerschaum...plus a few figural meers, so I have one foot in hypocrisy.
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Post by kxg on Sept 29, 2018 16:45:09 GMT -5
I am in the "if you got it, smoke it" crowd...but I have a couple unsmoked old ones that I have yet to pull the trigger on smoking... a beautiful Wally Frank, and a Tanganyikan meerschaum...plus a few figural meers, so I have one foot in hypocrisy. In these sorts of matters, there is no one right answer. It sort of comes down to the aged old advice; it depends. This is a simple nice old pipe that just happens to be NOS; it is crying out, "smoke me, smoke me" I shall oblige. Right now. |
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driftingfate
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Post by driftingfate on Sept 29, 2018 16:48:03 GMT -5
I believe in using things for what they were built for.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 16:59:10 GMT -5
I collect pipes and have many in UNsmoked condition and yes it adds to the value when one goes to sell it.
Why smoke a pipe like this if you have plenty to smoke already. If your interested in keeping its integrity and value Don't Smoke it.
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Post by trailboss on Sept 29, 2018 17:44:44 GMT -5
I collect pipes and have many in UNsmoked condition and yes it adds to the value when one goes to sell it. Why smoke a pipe like this if you have plenty to smoke already. If your interested in keeping its integrity and value Don't Smoke it. Sage advice. I know a guy that has an extensive Colt 1911 collection that is mindblowing...he has Singers, and Remington Rands, Colts from 1911 that are unfired, and about a gazillion times people have told him that he is cray for not shooting them. In that situation, the metallurgy wasn't where it ended in later productions...there is a slim chance the slides could crack, but that will never happen as long as he owns them, he has plenty of others to shoot..collection in the 100's of 1911's. I think that Rick Newcomb talks about a guy that bought a rare old unsmoked pipe, he smoked it and the pipe cracked on the first bowl...he said that owner took it all in stride though. |
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Post by trailboss on Sept 29, 2018 18:05:07 GMT -5
I meant to add that you know darn well he regretted that choice.
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Post by Dramatwist on Sept 29, 2018 18:08:41 GMT -5
...interesting question... I understand all the differing opinions... ultimately, it's your pipe, you have made your decision, and you are or have already smoked it. I know of no "conventional wisdom" on the issue... for myself, I have not felt the need to smoke my old and rare examples...
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Post by Ronv69 on Sept 29, 2018 18:24:16 GMT -5
Unless you are going to keep it for 50 years or more, I doubt that it will be worth more than you paid for it, or significantly less if you smoke it. I have a NOS WDC Wellington Jumbo that I kept for a year, undecided on whether to smoke it. When I finally fired it up, I regretted waiting so long.
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Post by pepesdad1 on Sept 29, 2018 19:06:55 GMT -5
I have a very. old meer that my wife said don't sell it..I want it when you pass...so I don't smoke it anymore, so she will have it intact when that day comes to pass. Funny she should say that....
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Post by trailboss on Sept 29, 2018 19:11:54 GMT -5
Unless you are going to keep it for 50 years or more, I doubt that it will be worth more than you paid for it, or significantly less if you smoke it. I have a NOS WDC Wellington Jumbo that I kept for a year, undecided on whether to smoke it. When I finally fired it up, I regretted waiting so long. I have a heavily abused Wellington that was heavily smoked...cleaned it up and it is without a doubt the most fecal infested pipe I have ever smoked, every blend tastes like crap. Wellington mad some good pipes, but even the master artisans turn a turd once in awhile.  Wanna trade? |
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professorthroway
Junior Member
Posts: 136 
First Name: Steve
Favorite Pipe: Hilson Straight Billiard
Favorite Tobacco: G&H Dark Bird's Eye
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Post by professorthroway on Sept 29, 2018 22:00:17 GMT -5
There is no room in my collection for s pipe I don't smoke. I don't buy pipes for their collectable value or as an investment. I buy them to use.
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Post by puffy on Sept 29, 2018 22:10:54 GMT -5
A pipe isn't of much use if it's not smoked.
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Post by Pistol Pete 1911 on Sept 29, 2018 22:36:50 GMT -5
Fire it up and enjoy it
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2018 2:26:23 GMT -5
I say pipes were made to be smoked. Unless you're a collector of unsmoked pipes, load it up and use it as the maker intended. I'm with Paddy. They're made to be smoked. That said, I have a few old Prebem Holms/Ben Wades that are just too pretty to smoke ... so far. |
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Post by daveinlax on Sept 30, 2018 7:00:42 GMT -5
It's your pipe but there is probably not a lot to be lost if you smoke it. When I was collecting Dunhill Patent billiards I put the first light to two un$$$moked pipes in the original box, sleeve with all the papers. I got over this collection pretty fast and regretted it. Those first bowls cost me hundreds of dollars when I sold them when I had 80 other pipes pretty much like them to enjoy.  |
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Sept 30, 2018 10:59:42 GMT -5
It's your pipe but there is probably not a lot to be lost if you smoke it. When I was collecting Dunhill Patent billiards I put the first light to two un$$$moked pipes in the original box, sleeve with all the papers. I got over this collection pretty fast and regretted it. Those first bowls cost me hundreds of dollars when I sold them when I had 80 other pipes pretty much like them to enjoy. Yeah, but how much did you enjoy smoking those billiards?
An unsmoked pipe is a pipe that you never really enjoyed  |
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Sept 30, 2018 11:00:50 GMT -5
I avoid buying any pipe that I would feel guilty about smoking. If you aren't going to smoke it, sell it to someone who will.
I have a few pipes that I treasure as collectibles, and I smoke them, but only indoors, where there is no risk of dropping them and marring the outside.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Sept 30, 2018 11:48:06 GMT -5
As it stands, I have 2 unsmoked pipes. They are cobs. They are back ups in case one of mine in rotation craps out on me. With the abuse they take, I'm surprised they're still going strong.
I see a pipe as a tool to smoke tobacco. I dont particularly like "new" tools. However, I do understand other's opinions on unsmoked collectibles.
Just my .02 FWIW
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